Feedback 33 is a weekly forum for dancers, set up by Sheron Wray and coordinated by ADAD Trailblazer, Zela Gayle. Here, Zela introduces us to the forum, while Sheron gives us an insight into what motivated her to create this initiative.

Feedback33 is a very friendly and supportive environment that people look forward to returning to each week. It is supported by a simple strategy of bringing dance artists together to meet, learn from each other and make creative connections that would otherwise not take place. It has enhanced many dancers' professional career and widened their dance network. It has helped people to realise that dance is more than just a technique.

The variety of the forms of dance that Feedback33 offers has been a real inspiration for those who attend. Some have found it challenging to adapt to different dance styles but one of the most satisfying thing is seeing people stretch themselves whilst having fun and seeing their confidence increase.

Zela Gayle, Forum Coordinator

‘Practical and Creative Help For Dancers’
Sheron Wray, Dance Artist, Academic and Founder of Feedback 33

Teaching has been a consistent part of my career in dance. Whilst not being absolutely at the forefront, it has been a very important part of my development. As much as creating a stimulating environment for learning it has also been a vehicle for me to reflect on what I know; this becomes apparent especially when teaching new ideas or approaches. In the past 10 years between working with my own company, solo work and research of African dance forms and technology, I have taught for a number of institutions and companies, including New Adventures, WAC, English National Ballet School, Alvin Ailey American Dance theatre, Independent Dance, The Place, DV8 and the Royal Ballet School. I have developed a range of different approaches to teaching and been in contact with a range of dancers with divergent backgrounds.

In 2004 I reflected on three things: Firstly, I was not engaged in creating work to the extend that felt satisfactory. Metaphorically speaking I was, in fact, in a slump. I experienced a frustrating period after undertaking research in what I thought to be dynamic new areas of my work; I was, however, teaching and this continued to be very satisfying. Finally, I began to recognize that I was doing a lot of informal mentoring with dancers who had sought me out for support. There were repeated enquiries about where I taught regularly. The answer to this, of course, was nowhere as I had chosen to maintain the space for developing work. Alongside these factors I surmised that I was in the possession of quite a lot of useful information and had acquired a number of contacts and experience of the dance industry in London. So it was the combination of all of these factors that stirred me to come up with the idea of a mentoring forum that would be grounded in practice; a regular class where I would give my time for free and help to generate a small community of mutual support.

So Feedback 33 classes began and I was given space by the director of London Studio Centre once a week to develop the classes. Once things got underway, it was not long before I became aware that to maximize the possibility of the forum, I needed some practical and creative help developing the programme. I invited teachers to teach for the forum for free and many of my friends agreed to do this and at the end of each session we would have a short Q and A session to talk to the guest about the trajectory of their career. Artists have included Etta Murfitt of New Adventures, Jackie Guy, Namron, Adesola Akinleye, Mario López-Goicoechea, Robert Hylton, Cécile F. Bushidi and Paradigmz. Some sessions were divided in half with a guest “speaker” coming in at the beginning to talk about their institution and how they fit in the dance sector, we had programmers, Arts council officers, festival and venue programmers come along to share information, all of this done very informally.

Within a short time, I asked the attendees if anyone was available to help me to manage the forum. Zela Gayle who I have known for several years and was a mentee offered to step up to the table. It was a great partnership as Zela came with zeal and earnest focus on being active.

As things have become more established we began to pay teachers whilst keeping the sessions at a minimal cost due to having free access to space. One of the projects we promoted early on was to create opportunities for groups of dancers to attend dance performances and we used the funds collected in class fees to support this effort. We have established a pattern whereby dancers who attended regularly paid 50% of the ticket price or less if we had the funds. This is of real benefit to the social dimension of the class. Being a freelance dancer can be very isolating, so the goal is to create community. The forum allows dancers to experience a diverse range of dance styles - to enable them to try out new techniques in a stable environment and also to create opportunities for the forum members to share their own work practically.

Zela innovated the “ MySpace session” idea, this simply is that once a month someone from the group requests to teach a session and it could be a technique class or it could be a choreographic session. Included within the session is a time for feedback about the content and the application of their teaching skill. Several members in support of preparing for teaching job opportunities and new choreographic projects have taken up this opportunity.

Another exciting dimension of Feedback 33 is the opportunity to host international guests who are researching or performing in London. Many of these guest teachers have generously taught for free or a small fee. Bradley Shelver (Bill T Joes/ Elisa Monte) NY, Creative Outlet company from NY and Mamela Nyzema from South Africa are among this group.

Jackie Guy has become somewhat of a staple Feedback 33 teacher, drawing some of the highest regular attendance because of the wealth of cultural and historical knowledge that is the core of his repertoire. Jackie also brings the spirit of generosity and sharing that reflects the ethos of the forum. The forum welcomes new teachers who have experience and wish to take part in the programme.

Within a short time the classes were opened up to dancers who are serious non-professionals and take classes regularly. This mixing of communities has been very enriching and has enabled the forum to form new relationships with more teachers outside of my own network. Carolyn Lily was able to organize a guest from Paris to come to teach Sabar; a very challenging Senegalese dance and drumming form.

My role continues as a mentor for several dancers who attend Feedback 33, though my physical presence is not as regular at this time. The model that we created was purposely not a business opportunity. In part I saw myself as a resource and was able to facilitate some useful connections, there are many people in the Dance sector that have equally extensive connections and indeed it could, if there was a desire, be turned into a sustainable business model. It is my hope however that the individuals that form this community will in turn reach out and support others. That to me is success.

To find out more about Feedback33’s current programme, contact Paula Allen, Interim Coordinator, on [email protected].